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INFP Personality (“The Mediator”)

INFP personalities are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, INFPs have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the INFP personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration.

Being a part of the Diplomat personality group, INFPs are guided by their principles, rather than by logic (Analysts), excitement (Explorers), or practicality (Sentinels). When deciding how to move forward, they will look to honor, beauty, morality and virtue – INFPs are led by the purity of their intent, not rewards and punishments. People who share the INFP personality type are proud of this quality, and rightly so, but not everyone understands the drive behind these feelings, and it can lead to isolation.

All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither; deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J. R. R. Tolkien

We Know What We Are, but Know Not What We May Be

At their best, these qualities enable INFPs to communicate deeply with others, easily speaking in metaphors and parables, and understanding and creating symbols to share their ideas. The strength of this intuitive communication style lends itself well to creative works, and it comes as no surprise that many famous INFPs are poets, writers and actors. Understanding themselves and their place in the world is important to INFPs, and they explore these ideas by projecting themselves into their work.

INFPs have a talent for self-expression, revealing their beauty and their secrets through metaphors and fictional characters.

INFPs’ ability with language doesn’t stop with their native tongue, either – as with most people who share the Diplomat personality types, they are considered gifted when it comes to learning a second (or third!) language. Their gift for communication also lends itself well to INFPs’ desire for harmony, a recurring theme with Diplomats, and helps them to move forward as they find their calling.

Listen to Many People, but Talk to Few

Unlike their Extraverted cousins though, INFPs will focus their attention on just a few people, a single worthy cause – spread too thinly, they’ll run out of energy, and even become dejected and overwhelmed by all the bad in the world that they can’t fix. This is a sad sight for INFPs’ friends, who will come to depend on their rosy outlook.

If they are not careful, INFPs can lose themselves in their quest for good and neglect the day-to-day upkeep that life demands. INFPs often drift into deep thought, enjoying contemplating the hypothetical and the philosophical more than any other personality type. Left unchecked, INFPs may start to lose touch, withdrawing into "hermit mode", and it can take a great deal of energy from their friends or partner to bring them back to the real world.

Luckily, like the flowers in spring, INFP’s affection, creativity, altruism and idealism will always come back, rewarding them and those they love perhaps not with logic and utility, but with a world view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty wherever they go.

I can relate to a lot of the comments posted here. The description is me...without the hypothetical part. I fantasize/daydream a lot; which you can say are hypothetical situations. I don't mind people asking them, but does anyone else find it hard to answer when you know it's something you would NEVER do because it goes against your morals, and values? It's almost like it's impossible for you have an actual answer. I have always been different and very quiet. I hold a lot of things(love, family, friendship, relationships, etc.) to what some would say extremely high standards and they don't understand why. This can be quite frustrating to me at times. As I read someone else point out, people almost never understand what I am saying like I'm speaking in another language when talking to them, lol. Which I find odd because to me I am being very clear. I expect people to know how I am feeling through my actions; although, I tend to hide how I am really feeling. I have a hard time expressing how I feel verbally, but as most people here I can write them, and even then sometimes words can't even begin to define them.
Is anyone else here what most people would a "hopeless romantic"? I swear when I describe the person I want to marry people look at me like "are you serious?" and proceed to tell me basically I will never find a person like that. I think that's funny because I'm a person like that, lol. Maybe it's sp hard to find a person like that because of the 4% thing. People often say I live in a fantasy world because I don't like to acknowledge that there are indeed bad people in the world. I tend to cling onto the good in people even when they've shown me they are "bad". I live by "Everyone has some good in them." I trust everyone until they give me a reason not to, and to be honest, after that I still kinda trust them due to the previous statement. I believe everyone can change, and have an extraordinary amount of faith in people. I am very passive, and conflict literally makes me sick. I am a VERY passionate person; which I think is why, despite the fact that I am passive, am a emotional person. I am an independent, and self sufficient person. I don't like to see people hurting. With that being said it is easy, but hard to make me cry if that makes since, lol. I don't to see like people mistreating, or taking advantage of any living thing. I think it's cruel. I spend a lot of time alone. Not that I avoid people, but I'm just comfortable that way. When people I love hurt me I can remember the situation and words very well, in fact, I can literally play it in my head even after years. I forgive easily, but forgetting is a different story. Depending on the depth of what it was the relationship might not be the same afterwards. It's very hard to provoke me, or change my mind. It might sound like I'm sensitive, but trust me I'm not. It takes a lot for someone to actually "hurt my feelings". It would need to be someone I care about, first off. I can't fathom how people do bad things and go on like they did nothing. Or how they even choose to do something bad when they can choose to do the right thing.

CAS

4 years ago

I am a hopeless romantic.....about the not having an actual answer, sometimes we are put into situations that we cannot make a perfect or even good decision, at that point we must learn to settle for an answer at all

shania

4 years ago

awesome! I knew I was more this type. Im proud to be this type! I took this test last night and got INTP which I knew was a bit off. It basically described me as a emotionless robot who sticks soundly to logic. While Iam very logical, especially for a woman, Im also very in-tuned with my emotions and very empathetic to the emotions of others. Iam also a very creative individual, I have a passion for art and my career as an animator/illustrator. Im an idealist/realist-haha and very much the dreamer* I often feel very misunderstood by those close to me and by all of my teachers through my years of schooling.

Raye

4 years ago

Oh wow, that sounds like me :). I'm not an illustrator, but I could definitely see myself becoming one. The logical/empathetic part are spot-on for me.

kuri

4 years ago

I used to feel very unsure about who i am and why i don't like loud parties.I mean why do i enjoy reading a book or sitting quietly in a beautiful place and thinking about abstract things so much more than noise.This explains it.Its because I'm different and special.:).

abart

4 years ago

This describes me to the T. Iam very reserved, almost to the point others might think I am braindead. I also love to write and do very well with written words, but do not express myself well at all verbally. I am somewhat passive-and I do not like conflict. I am extraordinarily concerned for others and have a great sense of empathy. I am also very much inside myself, or dreamland, so severly that at times I find it difficult to pay attention in social situations. I think we INFP's are great. And, when it comes to trying to make the world a better place-we are the few. Be proud to be an INFP.

Angella

4 years ago

INFP, surprisingly detailed yet accurate. I like being who i am; i have few friends i am intensely loyal to,(i doubt they actually know the extents i'd go for them, they'd probably be shocked if they found out). I love reading and writing poetry and playing piano i suppose that's my creative outlets.